Column segment for growing plants

Abstract

The following disclosure relates to column segments for the growing of plants or crops. These column segments comprise a plurality of wall panels, at least one opening in the wall panels in which at least one pot for holding plants can be located; a diffuser which is configured to locate the wall panels in a pre-determined position that forms an internal cavity, and to distribute liquid into the internal cavity such that a greater amount of fluid is directed proximate the at least one opening in the wall panels relative to the rest of the cavity; and a locking ring which secures the wall panels and diffuser together in the predetermined position.

1 . A column segment for growing plants or crops, comprising:
 a plurality of wall panels,   at least one opening in the wall panels in which at least one pot for holding plants can be located;   a diffuser which is configured to locate the wall panels in a predetermined position that forms an internal cavity, and to distribute liquid into the internal cavity such that a greater amount of fluid is directed proximate the at least one opening in the wall panels relative to the rest of the cavity; and   a locking ring which secures the wall panels and diffuser together in the predetermined position.   
     
     
         2 . The column segment according to  claim 1 , wherein a seal exists between the plurality of wall panels when assembled together. 
     
     
         3 . The column segment according to  claim 2 , wherein each wall panel includes a first sealing member on a side and a second sealing member extending from an opposing side such that when two panels are located in the predetermined position, and the seal is formed by the first and second sealing members co-operating to prevent liquid from passing between the two panels. 
     
     
         4 . The column segment according to  claim 1 , wherein the diffuser is further configured to also locate the wall panels of a second column segment in addition to the wall panels of a first column segment. 
     
     
         5 . The column segment of  claim 4 , wherein the diffuser is configured to locate the wall panels of the first column segment below the diffuser and the wall panels of the second column segment above the diffuser. 
     
     
         6 . The column segment of  claim 1 , wherein the first sealing member is an integrated rubber lip seal and the second sealing member is a flange which extends from the opposing side. 
     
     
         7 . The column segment according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking ring secures the wall panels and diffuser together in a fixed position by providing a compressive force against the diffuser and wall panels. 
     
     
         8 . The column segment according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking ring secures the wall panels and diffuser together in a fixed position by means of co-operating grooves or ridges on the diffuser or wall panels and the locking ring. 
     
     
         9 . The column segment according to  claim 7 , wherein the diffuser includes a lip seal which is sealed by the compressive force provided by the locking ring. 
     
     
         10 . The column segment according to  claim 1 , wherein the diffuser distributes liquid by means of a convex plate with a first set of openings and a second set of openings, wherein the second set of openings are shaped to allow a greater volume of liquid to pass through the diffuser relative to the first set of openings. 
     
     
         11 . The column segment according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall panels include protrusions which extend at an angle to a main plane of the wall panels, and the opening(s) are located on a surface of the protrusions. 
     
     
         12 . The column segment according to  claim 1 , wherein each wall panel is identical. 
     
     
         13 . The column segment of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wall panels are shaped such that they can be stacked when not assembled. 
     
     
         14 . The column segment of  claim 1 , wherein the wall panels are curved and form a cylindrical internal cavity in the predetermined position. 
     
     
         15 . The column segment of  claim 14 , wherein there are four wall panels. 
     
     
         16 . The column of  claim 15 , wherein each wall panel includes two openings. 
     
     
         17 . A column for growing plants or crops, comprising multiple column segments according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A hydroponic system for growing plants or crops, including a column according to  claim 17 . 
     
     
         19 . A hydroponic system for growing plants or crops, including at least one column segment according to  claim 1 .